The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 14, 2015. In the 2015 general elections timetable which INEC released yesterday in Abuja, the commission said they would be followed on February 28 by the governorship and state houses of assembly elections.

In a statement signed by INEC secretary Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the commission said the Ekiti State governorship election would hold on June 21, 2014, while the Osun State poll would take place on August 9, 2014.


The statement added that the commission arrived at the dates for the elections after its four-day retreat which held in Kaduna from January 21.

The three-paragraph statement read: "Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the timetable and schedule of activities leading to the 2015 general elections and the Ekiti and osun governorship elections.

"After the deliberations at the four-day retreat held in the Assa Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna from Tuesday 21st - Friday 24th January, 2014, the commission has scheduled the presidential and National assembly elections for 14th February, 2015 and the governorship and state houses of assembly elections for 28th February, 2015.

"The Ekiti State governorship election is scheduled to hold on 21st June, 2014 while the Osun State governorship election is scheduled to hold on 9th August, 2014."

Jonathan to declare ambition in May - presidency

Although the Presidency has played down the ultimatum given to President Goodluck Jonathan by a group to declare his interest in the 2015 presidential race, there are strong feelers that the president may declare his ambition in May this year.

A reliable presidency source, which said the National Coalition For Jonathan/Sambo Presidency's (NACOJP) 45-day ultimatum to indicate his interest in the 2015 presidential race or face its wrath, said Jonathan was not bound to heed the demand, adding that the group was merely expressing its freedom to be heard in a free society.